After years of the washing dishes, bits of food and gunk can build up within the drain of the kitchen sink. The rotten odor developed can be very unpleasant and cause an unwelcome aroma within the entire kitchen.
When this happens, it is important to combat the build up causing the odor within the pipework . This guide will provide a range of solutions for breaking down the smelly substance within your drain to return fresh air within your kitchen.
Break Down Solutions
Before washing the unwanted substance down the drain you will need to loosen it from the walls of pipework. You can do this by using a variety of different chemical compounds.
1 White Vinegar
Measure a half gallon of white vinegar and pour down the sink the kitchen sink. Allow this substance to set into the pipework for an hour before using the faucet or washing it down with boiled water. Vinegar is often just as effective as bleach, and provides a more natural way to clean the sink.
2 Bleach
Pour a half gallon of bleach down the drain. Allow a minimum of 30 minutes for it to set in before washing it down. The bleach will eat through much of the gunk causing odors and loosen the bit and pieces up to be washed away.
3 Baking Soda
Mix a formula of 10 teaspoons of baking soda to one gallon of water, and pour the contents down the drain. Allow 2 hours for the baking soda to absorb much of the unwanted odors before running the faucet or pouring hot water down the sink.
4 Lemon Juice
Mix one full cup of lemon juice with a half gallon of water, and pour contents down the sink. The citric acid within lemons will cut through much of the odor producing residue, and loosen it to be washed away. Allow 2-3 hours to pass before running sink or pouring boiling water down the drain.
Wash Down Solutions
Once you have neutralized much of the odors, you will want to wash the remainder of the odor producing bits away. This can be done in large part by boiling water and including some additive to give it an extra boost.
1 Boiling Water
Get close to a gallon of water to a boil, and proceed to pour it down the drain. The hot water will loosen the remaining hold that the gunk has within the pipe and wash it away.
2 Dish Detergent
This solution can be added to the pot shortly after the water has reached a boil. After adding 3 teaspoons to the boiling water, pour the contents of the pot down the sink. The dish soap will help in further breaking down any tough oils or residues.
3 Pure Vanilla Extract
For added effect, add 3-4 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract to a pot of boiling water prior to pouring it down the sink. This will help in masking any remaining odor, and leave a fresh scent of vanilla within the kitchen.
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Fresh air and open space can help in diffusing the smell of this material. Placing the rubber item outside for 1-2 days will reduce the potency of the chemical smelling aroma. As an alternative to placing it outside, you can keep it within a garage or storage place until the smell lessens.
The UV rays of the sun go to work in neutralizing much of the odors. Place the rubber outside in direct sunlight for 2 hours, then rotate to ensure that the entire surface receives exposure. Be careful not to leave the item in the sun too long, as this can often weaken the material and lead to cracks within the rubber.
Peppermint oil does a fantastic job at masking odor within the short-term. Apply some peppermint oil to a dampened cloth and proceed to wipe down the surface of the rubber.
Citrus juices are very effective at cutting through smoke-related odors. The citric acid contained within lemons works as the active ingredient in combating smoke residues.